The Bombay High Court on Monday extended interim protection from arrest granted to NCP legislator Pankaj Bhujbal and others accused in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Justice P N Deshmukh was hearing anticipatory bail applications filed by Pankaj and others, after non-bailable warrants were issued against them by special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in the Maharashtra Sadan scam.

Both have been arrested and are presently in Arthur road prison in central Mumbai. According to ED, the Bhujbal family allegedly conspired along with several others to divert or ‘launder’ kickbacks received by Chhagan Bhujbal, when he was state Public Works Department minister.